Gadsden Flag
By Willow
The Gadsden Flag, a rattlesnake with the words “ Don’t Tread On Me,” was one of the first American flags, designed by American general and statesman Continental Colonel Christopher Gadsden as a gift to a Commodore Esek Hopkins. Unknown to most though, it has roots much farther back than that.
The first famous reference to the rattlesnake as an American symbol was Ben Franklin's “Join or Die” cartoon in 1754 during the French and Indian War as a plea to unite the colonies. He thought it was appropriate for a symbol of the American spirit.
"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eyelids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of stepping on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?"- Benjamin Franklin, December 1775
He thought that it represented the behavior America should have as a nation: vigilance, courage, shrewdness, generosity, and not attacking without reason.The first time the snake was used with the motto “Don’t Tread On Me,” was in Philadelphia, when newly enrolled marines had the motto and symbol on their drums and even painted yellow, as on the original Gadsden Flag.
Despite of Franklin’s role in the flag, it is usually attributed to American general and statesman Continental Colonel Christopher Gadsden. Colonel Gadsden gave the flag to the commander-in-chief, Esek Hopkins, as a personal standard for his flagship, and one to his home state of South Carolina.
Since then the flag has been morphed into several different versions, mainly the Navy Jack. It is flow by the ship with the longest active status until that ship is decommissioned, then passed down to its successor. The most common rendering of the Navy Jack is an uncoiled rattlesnake on a background of 13 red and white stripes representing the 13 original colonies.
The Gadsden Flag and it’s motto have come to represent patriotism, and disagreement with the government, reminding us of the spirit that caused our founding forefathers to rebel against England and stand up for their rights.
Wikipedia. The Gadsden Flag. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 12 October 2012. Web. November
1. 2012
Whitten, Chris. Don’t Tread on Me. Founding Fathers.info. n.p, July 15 2001. Web .
November 1 2012.
The first famous reference to the rattlesnake as an American symbol was Ben Franklin's “Join or Die” cartoon in 1754 during the French and Indian War as a plea to unite the colonies. He thought it was appropriate for a symbol of the American spirit.
"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eyelids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of stepping on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?"- Benjamin Franklin, December 1775
He thought that it represented the behavior America should have as a nation: vigilance, courage, shrewdness, generosity, and not attacking without reason.The first time the snake was used with the motto “Don’t Tread On Me,” was in Philadelphia, when newly enrolled marines had the motto and symbol on their drums and even painted yellow, as on the original Gadsden Flag.
Despite of Franklin’s role in the flag, it is usually attributed to American general and statesman Continental Colonel Christopher Gadsden. Colonel Gadsden gave the flag to the commander-in-chief, Esek Hopkins, as a personal standard for his flagship, and one to his home state of South Carolina.
Since then the flag has been morphed into several different versions, mainly the Navy Jack. It is flow by the ship with the longest active status until that ship is decommissioned, then passed down to its successor. The most common rendering of the Navy Jack is an uncoiled rattlesnake on a background of 13 red and white stripes representing the 13 original colonies.
The Gadsden Flag and it’s motto have come to represent patriotism, and disagreement with the government, reminding us of the spirit that caused our founding forefathers to rebel against England and stand up for their rights.
Wikipedia. The Gadsden Flag. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 12 October 2012. Web. November
1. 2012
Whitten, Chris. Don’t Tread on Me. Founding Fathers.info. n.p, July 15 2001. Web .
November 1 2012.